Abstract: A multi-level rotor for a coolant flow control valve assembly, which accommodates an increased number of inlet ports, outlet ports, and flow channels using a single rotor located in a housing, enabling a larger number of flow configurations. The housing includes nine ports which may function as an inlet or an outlet, which facilitates different flow configurations. For a thermal management system, reduced cost and less space utilization is achieved by a reduced number of valves, where the multi-level rotor is able to fluidically connect multiple inlets/outlets. This enables different flow configurations, depending on the degree of rotation. The channels at different levels are sealed from each other within the housing. The flow channels are manufactured into a single entity, therefore always having the same positional accuracy relative to each other when the rotor is repositioned.

Abstract: A charging system includes an AC-DC converter for connecting to AC mains; a DC-link connected to the AC-DC converter output; and a DC-DC converter having an input coupled to the AC-DC converter output, a control input, and an output. The DC-DC converter includes drive circuitry for controlling the DC-DC converter. A controller has a feedforward input for receiving a signal corresponding to a voltage across the DC-link, a feedback input for receiving a signal corresponding to an output current provided by the DC-DC converter, and an output coupled to the control input of the DC-DC converter. The controller generates a control signal which controls the drive circuitry based upon a positive half cycle and a negative half cycle of ripple voltage at the DC-link, and a ripple current amplitude at the DC-DC converter output during at least one of the positive half cycle or the negative half cycle.

Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) circuit is provided. The PFC circuit includes an input for receiving alternating current and a converter for converting the received alternating current to a direct current. The PFC circuit also includes a direct current link that includes at least one capacitor. Additionally, the PFC circuit includes a voltage regulator control loop operating in burst mode under light load conditions by switching between an ON-state and an OFF-state periodically. The PFC circuit also includes a controller preloading the voltage regulator control loop with an initial value corresponding to the circuit current load under light conditions, when the voltage regulator control loop is transitioning to an ON-state of the burst mode. The initial value is based on the rate of change of the voltage at the direct current link and the capacitance of the capacitor of the direct current link.

Abstract: A multi-port valve assembly, which includes a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing such that the rotor is operable for being placed in a plurality of positions, and a first channel integrally formed as part of the rotor. The multi-port valve assembly includes various ports which are all integrally formed as part of the housing. The rotor is rotated such that the multi-port valve assembly is placed in one of a plurality of configurations having two or more flow paths, providing fluid communication between the various ports. The rotor may include a first side channel, a second side channel fluidically isolated from the first side channel, and where the first side channel and the second side channel are fluidically isolated from the first channel. The rotor may also a first channel and a second channel, and the second channel is fluidically isolated from the first channel.

Abstract: A coolant flow control valve (CFCV) which includes an actuator having a microcontroller which drives an electric motor, such as a brushless DC motor. The motor drives a gear train, and the gear train drives a valve. The motor and gear train are used to rotate the valve to one or more positions, and thus direct coolant (passing through the valve) between ports. The valve is rotated to different positions to create various flow paths, such that coolant is directed between the different flow paths. The valve is a rotor having three different channels. The CFCV may also include a compound valve, where two valves are connected to and driven by one actuator. The valves may be of different shapes to accommodate inlet and outlet ports of various configurations.

Abstract: A valve, such as a throttle valve plate, which is suitable for use with a throttle assembly, and is able to withstand a backpressure test. The throttle valve plate includes a flat plate, and a plastic material overmolded onto a portion of the valve plate. The plate includes at least one rib, and may include a plurality of ribs, allowing for a thinner and lighter weight plate which is manufactured at a lower cost. The valve may also be a two-piece valve plate having an overlap portion. The two pieces of the valve plate overlap at the portion of the valve plate which interfaces with the shaft of the throttle assembly. The remaining portion of the plate surface includes at least one ribbed feature, and may include a plurality of ribbed features which reduce material usage and therefore reduce weight and cost, but also provide the required strength and rigidity.

Abstract: A pressure sensing element, including a substrate, a device layer coupled to the substrate, a diaphragm being part of the device layer, and a plurality of piezoresistors coupled to the diaphragm. A plurality of bond pads is disposed on the device layer, and an electrical field shield is bonded to the top of device layer and at least one of the bond pads. At least one stress adjustor is part of the electrical field shield, where the stress adjustor is a cut-out constructed and arranged to reduce thermal hysteresis of the pressure sensing element caused by stress relaxation of the electrical field shield during a cooling and heating cycle. The stress adjustor may be a thin film deposited on top of the electrical field shield, which may apply residual stress to the piezoresistors. The pressure sensing element may include a cavity integrally formed as part of the substrate.

Abstract: A discrete electrical component is disclosed, including a component member having at least one lead; and a base member on which the component member is supported. The electrical component further includes at least one compliant pin member, each compliant pin member having a first end portion configured for press-fit engagement in a printed circuit board and a second end portion electrically connected to the at least one lead of the component member. The at least one compliant pin at least partly extends through or into the base member.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle, including at least one detection device operable for detecting objects in a detection area. The detection device also includes a first emission antenna, a first reception antenna, and a plurality of extension portions. One of the plurality of extension portions is integrally formed as part of the first emission antenna, and another of the plurality of extension portions is integrally formed as part of the first reception antenna. The first emission antenna generates an emission wave at a predetermined angle which contacts objects in the first detection area and deflects of the objects in the first detection area, and returns to the first reception antenna as a return wave. In an embodiment, the first emission antenna includes at least one Vivaldi wing, and the first reception antenna includes at least one Vivaldi wing.

Abstract: A pressure sensing element, including a substrate, a device layer coupled to the substrate, a diaphragm being part of the device layer, and a plurality of piezoresistors coupled to the diaphragm. A plurality of bond pads is disposed on the device layer, and an electrical field shield is bonded to the top of device layer and at least one of the bond pads. At least one stress adjustor is part of the electrical field shield, where the stress adjustor is a cut-out constructed and arranged to reduce thermal hysteresis of the pressure sensing element caused by stress relaxation of the electrical field shield during a cooling and heating cycle. The stress adjustor may be a thin film deposited on top of the electrical field shield, which may apply residual stress to the piezoresistors. The pressure sensing element may include a cavity integrally formed as part of the substrate.

Abstract: An electronic parking pawl actuator which uses a smaller motor and higher gear ratio has the ability to configure a rooster comb to engage with various park detents, and reduces the mechanical and software design complexity. Furthermore, the electronic park actuator limits the amount of back drivable range (unable to perform an external park to neutral shift) for theft deterrence, and also allows operation (speed performance) and a lower motor peak current. The electronic parking pawl actuator includes an electric motor, a drive gear, the drive gear operable for being driven by the electric motor, and a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism is operable for being driven by the drive gear. The drive mechanism is engaged with an output shaft of a gear selector of a transmission, and the drive mechanism is rotatable relative to the drive gear, allowing the output shaft to be located in a desired position.

Abstract: A shroud configured to connect a leadframe to a battery system for a hybrid motor vehicle is provided. The shroud is removably attachable to the leadframe. The shroud has at least one shroud alignment feature, the shroud being removably attached to the leadframe in a predetermined orientation wherein the shroud alignment feature is aligned with a complimentary leadframe alignment feature. The shroud may include a hollow cylindrical portion and at least one connecting feature configured to attach the shroud to the leadframe. The shroud may be provided as part of a connector system that includes the leadframe. In this case, the leadframe is configured to provide an electrical and mechanical connection between a power inverter and the battery system of the electric motor. The leadframe includes at least one leadframe alignment feature that is aligned with the shroud alignment feature.

Abstract: A control circuit and method are disclosed for controlling a contactor in a motor vehicle. The control circuit includes a driver circuit having an output to couple to a control terminal of a contactor, the driver circuit having a supply input and a control input. A Boolean logic gate has an input coupled to a safety disable control signal, a second input and an output coupled to the control input of the driver circuit. A hold circuit has a first input coupled a loss of propulsion signal, a second input coupled to an pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal and an output coupled to the second input of the Boolean logic gate. Based upon the output of the loss of propulsion detection circuit, the output of the output latch circuit is either maintained at a prior Boolean logic state of the output of the output latch circuit or is based on the PWM control signal.

Abstract: A harness connector for an electronics device is disclosed, the electronics device having a housing and a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, and the housing including an opening exposing electrical contacts of the printed circuit board. The harness connector includes a base member with a plurality of apertures defined therein, the base member directly attached to the housing and disposed over the opening, and a plurality electrical contacts electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for a camera wash system of an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The manifold assembly includes a fluid inlet; a plurality of fluid injectors, each fluid injector configured to switch between an open state in which fluid passes through the fluid injector and aclosed state in which fluid does not pass through the fluid injector; a block member configured to hold the fluid injectors in a fixed position; and a rail member including a fluid passage in fluidcommunication between the fluid inlet and each fluid injector for providing a cleaning fluid to each of the fluid injectors.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly, which includes a support substrate, circuitry mounted to the support substrate, at least one conductor mounted to the support substrate and in electrical communication with the circuitry, and at least one vertically conductive path connected to and in electrical communication with the at least one conductor. The pressure sensor assembly also includes a diaphragm, at least one sealing glass section connected to the diaphragm and the support substrate, and at least one lateral conductive feed-through mounted to the diaphragm. At least one conductive joint is connected to the vertically conductive path and the lateral conductive feed-through, and the conductive joint provides electrical communication between the vertically conductive path and the lateral conductive feed-through.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission method of control is disclosed where equalization of the reactive voltages of a series resonant circuit, which is part of a transmitter antenna tuning and coupling unit, is obtained by adjusting the switching frequency and thereby used to determine a switching frequency of the driving high frequency inverter. By measuring and largely equalizing the voltage parameters of the series resonant circuit to establish an inverter switching frequency, improved efficiency of the wireless power transmission method.

Abstract: A harness connector for an electronics device is disclosed, the electronics device having a housing and a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, and the housing including an opening exposing electrical contacts of the printed circuit board. The harness connector includes a base member with a plurality of apertures defined therein, the base member directly attached to the housing and disposed over the opening, and a plurality electrical contacts electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission method of control where an electrical parameter of a resonant circuit, which is part of a transmitter antenna tuning and coupling unit, determines in some part the regulation current level target or power level target of the resonant circuit. By using an electrical parameter of a resonant circuit to establish a current or power regulation level of the resonant circuit, a maximum limitation is established for the electrical current and voltage of the antenna tuning and coupling unit in order to operate the electrical elements within safe design limits. Additionally, energy is managed entering the transmitter antenna tuning and coupling unit for variable load at the receiver.

Abstract: A control circuit and method are disclosed for controlling a contactor in a motor vehicle. The control circuit includes a driver circuit having an output to couple to a control terminal of a contactor, the driver circuit having a supply input and a control input. A Boolean logic gate has an input coupled to a safety disable control signal, a second input and an output coupled to the control input of the driver circuit. A hold circuit has a first input coupled a loss of propulsion signal, a second input coupled to an pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal and an output coupled to the second input of the Boolean logic gate. Based upon the output of the loss of propulsion detection circuit, the output of the output latch circuit is either maintained at a prior Boolean logic state of the output of the output latch circuit or is based on the PWM control signal.